GABRIEL HEIMLER & ANNA PROC
GUEST OF THE EMBASSY OF MEXICO IN WELLINGTON
WITH THE PHOTO EXHIBITION BY EVA KAPRINAY
CALLA LILIES OR ALCATRACES
HOMAGE TO DIEGO RIVERA
When in October 2015, Gabriel Heimler and Anna Proc approached this Embassy to discuss the possibility of presenting
an exhibition in our Sala Octavio Paz of their paintings mirroring the originals by Diego Rivera entitled “Nude with
Calla Lilies” (1944), identifying similarities between aztec
and maori cultures, I was very enthusiastic, but at the same
time, I imagined it was going to be a long-term project, given
the nature and ambitiousness of the task.
Featuring paintings that vividly recreate some of those of the
Maestro de Maestros, Diego Rivera and linking Mexico and
New Zealand through traditional symbolisms of both countries seemed like a fantasy to me. Of course, I said yes, let’s
work on that! Nonetheless, I was more than a little dubious
about how they were going to achieve their goal.
But Gabriel and Anna have come through with flying colours!
Thanks to their artistic talent and determination, they have
connected Diego Rivera’s work, mainly the frescoes depicting
peasants with indigenous features carrying bundles of alcatraces in baskets made of flax, to a technique similar to one
employed by the maori.
This project is perfectly complemented by the professionalism
of Eva Kaprinay, whose marvellous photographs frame the
exhibition beautifully.
We see the cultural connection between Mexicans and kiwis,
the backbone of the strong, friendly relationship between our
peoples.
My warmest congratulations to the three artists!
Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico
Front cover :
Heimler&Proc, Calla Lily I. Homage to Frida Kahlo,
90 x 70 cm
Heimler&Proc, Calla Lily II. Enlightenment, 122 x 91 cm
On our last visit to Paris we happened upon a bookshop in the
Latin Quarter. There we found a book of Diego Rivera’s art
that featured the painting ‘Nude with Calla Lilies’ ('Desnudo
con Alcatrces' - 1944) on the front cover. The image of the
calla lilies evoked for us thoughts of our new home country,
New Zealand, where we enjoy these flowers in both winter
and spring. The artwork gave us the idea to create the exhibition 'Calla lilies or Alcatraces: Homage to Diego Rivera'.
While working on the subject, we were profoundly struck by
certain aspects that seemed to build a bridge between us and
Rivera, between New Zealand and Mexico. The calla lily, a
sensual, sculptured flower, is a quintessential example of
Mexico’s exuberant flora. It is celebrated throughout Rivera's
work, particularly in frescoes depicting peasants with indigenous features carrying bundles of these magnificent plants.
Notably, these floral offerings are often carried in baskets
made of flax, using a technique similar to one employed by
the Maori of New Zealand. In keeping with this fascinating
cross-cultural similarity, we painted the symbols of the Aztec
and the Maori on the flax objects common to both peoples
that we imported from Rivera’s ‘Nude with Calla Lilies’ into
our paintings.
We also have great esteem for Rivera as muralists. The mural
represents an historical work in a public space. We think of
murals as a way of tattooing places with the history of the
people who came before in order to leave a visible story, a
narrative for future generations.
On a more personal level, ‘Nude with Calla Lilies’ made a
special impression on us as a couple. It sparked our idea for
the exhibition because we recognized in this painting Rivera’s
wife, Frida Kahlo. Rivera and Kahlo mirror our work together
as painters and also as life partners.
In the exhibition we showcase four paintings. Calla Lily II
represents the Maori and Aztec cultures where they intersect,
while the others are dedicated to Maori or Aztec tradition. In
our work, we deliberately chose three different nudes, each
figure showcasing a unique multicultural aspect. Additionally,
we altered the perspective such that it differs from Rivera's. In
the painting dedicated to Aztec tradition, Calla Lily III, we
embraced the idea of offering.
In an effort to widen the artistic slant on the calla lily, we invited our friend and colleague, Eva Kaprinay, to add her photographic vision to our paintings. Eva brought with her the
Hungarian tradition of calla lilies as bridal flowers. She transformed their image in a chromatic way to create a wide range
of colourful nuance. In other photographs, she brought calla
lilies into the Wellington landscape.
In sum, we feel honoured to have the opportunity to pay homage to the wonderful artist Diego Rivera, and we hope that
others will join us in celebration of his work.
Heimler &Proc
www.gabriel-heimler.de
[email protected]
Heimler&Proc, Calla Lily III. Offering, 90 x 70 cm
Heimler&Proc, Calla Lily IV. Aztec Alcatraces, 30 x 24 cm
Photographs by Eva Kaprinay
Four Seasons I
Four Seasons II
Four Seasons III
Four Seasons IV
[email protected]
Diego Rivera (1886-1957), Mexican muralist and painter,
visual narrator of the History of Mexico. A born natural,
Rivera studied Art in Europe where he was in contact with the
Cubist and Post-Impressionist movements. His works, with a
high social content, capture the everyday life of postrevolutionary Mexico, in an international context. In his
works, Alcatraces (Calla Lilies) play a prominent role. The
Alcatraces attend the women, be they indigenous or members
of the bourgeoisie. The Alcatraces accompany the Aztec and
the mestizo heritage, representing pre-Hispanic and modern
Mexico.
Daniela Gil Sevilla, Cultural Attaché
Many thanks to the Embassy of Mexico
for supporting the Exhibition.
Exhibition’s artists (from the left):
Gabriel Heimler, Eva Kaprinay, Anna Proc